Murder in the Christmas night

Writer's POV Ethan sat on the bench beneath the towering blue spruce. It was an exceptional evening; the snow-clad town shimmered with the vibrant hues of Christmas and twinkling lights. Had it been any day prior to the previous year, he might have been joyful, reveling like the rest with family or friends. However, the past year had stripped him of everything. He stared blankly at the Church gate; his heart devoid of emotion, despite it once being his cherished retreat. Around him, people flowed in and out, perhaps offering prayers for themselves or their dear ones. In contrast, he stood lost, uncertain of what to wish for. Engrossed in his thoughts, he lost track of time and the duration of his presence. Suddenly, he realized that a stray dog had gone by, pulling along something that made a rustling sound at his feet, bringing Ethan back to reality. Leaning over slightly while remaining seated on the bench, he discovered it was a medium-sized plush teddy bear. He lifted it and brushed off the tangled hay and dry debris from its fur. Initially, he gazed at it as if it were alien, and then, quite suddenly, the thought struck him, and he burst into laughter. "So, you're all alone like me," Ethan mocked the teddy bear. "No, I have my family," he replied in a childlike voice, pretending to be Plushy. "Then where are they? Why are you all alone?" he asked with a hint of sarcasm. "I just lost my way. They must be searching for me," the childlike voice answered. Ethan animatedly shook the teddy bear's hand as if it were alive. "But I have no one to talk to," Ethan said sadly, sighing over the turmoil in his life. "Then talk to me. I can be a good friend," the mimicking voice offered eagerly. "But what if your family comes looking for you? You'll have to go back with them. Then I'll be alone again," Ethan said, overwhelmed by sorrow. "If you'd like, you could come with me," Teddy suggested sweetly. "Do you think they would accept me?" Ethan inquired, his voice tinged with hope. Engrossed in conversation with his teddy, Ethan was so detached from the world around him that he failed to notice the two pairs of eyes observing him intently. "Mommy, look, here's my Milo!" a little girl exclaimed. Her spirited voice snapped Ethan out of his trance. With a flushed face, he glanced around, searching for Milo, mistaking it for a person. "You bloody thief, how dare you steal our teddy?" the woman of the duo growled. He blinked rapidly, trying to clear his vision. "Are you dumb or what?" the lady snapped again, noticing his blank stare. After an extended absence, a woman crossed his path, leaving him at a loss for how to respond to her accusation. She was tall and slender, with a wheatish complexion. Her long hair undulated gently in the cool breeze, captivating him. His heartbeat quickened, and he found himself staring without interruption. The word 'dumb' struck him hard, prompting him to stand up abruptly, snapping him out of his trance. "Mommy, tell him to give back my Milo," the little girl pleaded with her mother once more. With a gentle tug on her mother's hand, she cast a glance at Ethan. The woman quickly took the teddy from Ethan's grasp and handed it to her daughter. Ethan stood there, puzzled by the sudden turn of events. "Aren't you ashamed of taking toys from children?" the woman chastised Ethan. "I didn't do that," he replied softly, his voice barely more than a whisper. Overwhelmed by the woman's presence, he was rendered speechless. The awkward silence only served to frustrate the woman further. "It was a dog that dragged it here, but still, I am sorry," he apologized, now fully grasping the situation. However, the woman's facial expression made it clear she wasn't convinced by his explanation. "Bloody liar," she scoffed, exiting the place while pulling her daughter along with her. Her black hair bounced on her back as she stalked away in anger. Ethan took his time to watch the retreating figures until they vanished behind the church doors. The little girl glanced back and playfully stuck out her tongue at Ethan, which he found endearing, and he chuckled softly. He couldn't recall the last time he had smiled, but the duo had sparked something unfamiliar in his heart. With a sigh, he leaned back in the chair, pondering why he was always blamed for things he hadn't done. Resigning himself to what he considered his fate, he remained seated for a moment longer before departing. Strolling down the quiet road, a myriad of thoughts pirouetted through his mind. Perhaps he was pondering his past, present, or future, once again engrossed in his own world, oblivious to his surroundings. After a time, he arrived at a bus stop. Glancing at his wristwatch, which was simple yet sophisticated, neither flashy nor inexpensive, the hands indicated it was eight o'clock. Dinner time had come, and he considered visiting a nearby restaurant for a meal. The restaurant was modest, nestled in the suburbs. Ethan, not being a billionaire, couldn't indulge in luxurious dining experiences. He was slightly plump, with unshaven cheeks, dark hair, and a mustache. His clothing was modest, resembling an average man's, consisting of a blazer and trousers with a pullover underneath. Overall, his simplicity was such that he could easily be mistaken for what the woman had previously perceived. As he was about to enter the dining area, he collided with a man taller than himself. "Sorry, brother," Ethan apologized. The man grabbed him, holding his right arm firmly. "Can you help me?" the man asked, his voice tinged with desperation. "Of course," Ethan replied, unable to refuse the plea. His eyes brightened, and he gestured toward a table in the dining hall. Ethan leaned in, attempting to discern the direction, but to no avail. "Alright, ask the waiter for table number 7, and he will direct you properly," the tall man elaborated upon realizing Ethan couldn't determine his pointing. "Just tell the woman sitting there that she needs to leave for some urgent work," he rambled on, not considering whether Ethan could follow all the instructions simultaneously. Without another word, the man vanished into the darkness outside. He was in such a rush that it seemed his life depended on it. Ethan stood there, puzzled, debating whether to follow the man's instructions or to leave, as it was really none of his business. He opted for the first choice and entered, pulling the door open. The doorkeeper welcomed him and inquired about his preferred seating area. "Table number seven, please," Ethan requested courteously. "Right this way, Sir," the doorkeeper motioned towards the table, and Ethan proceeded to follow. His heart skipped a beat when he realized the woman at the table was the same one who had accused him of stealing the teddy bear just moments earlier. "You're here too? Are you following us?" she exclaimed, abruptly standing up. The glass that had been at her left side toppled over, spilling some water. Fortunately, it didn't shatter and remained on the table. "Actually, your husband just left, claiming he had some urgent work," he stated plainly, without wasting any time. "Husband? He was merely a fling for today," she replied nonchalantly, and settled back into her chair. "Mama, why is this uncle here? Will he be eating with us?" the girl asked, a hint of fear in her voice as she clutched her teddy bear closer to herself. "No, baby, he just happened to be here. Let's finish the chicken pie first, then we can have ice cream," she said, gently brushing her daughter's soft hair and nudging the plate closer, so the girl could eat more easily. She also didn't forget to shoot a scowling look Ethan's way. Once more, he found himself pulled back into a well of trouble.